IRISH Rail has selected Alstom as the preferred manufacturer for the new trains to be used on the Dublin Area Rapid Transport network (DART).
Based on the Alstom Xtrapolis articulated multiple unit platform, the order will be foramix of five- and 10-car sets with the first deliveries expected to be hybrid battery-electric units. There will allow services to be extended to destinations identified as part of the DART+ project which will see an extension of the 1500v DC electrification to Maynooth, M3 Parkway, Hazelhatch and Drogheda over what is expected to be a €2 billion 10 year programme of improvement work.
Add to capacity
The award of the framework contract gives Irish Rail the option to call down as many as 750 vehicles, not only adding to capacity but also enabling the current fleets of DART EMUs to be replaced; initially the DART+ programme is expected double the capacity of the DART and Greater Dublin Area commuter network by 2027.